A Wheel with a Story
On Monday, I mentioned that something special showed up at my house. I know I have mentioned on several occasions that spinning holds no interest for me. Julie tried her best to teach me how to work with a drop spindle, but I didn't turn out to be such a good student. I'm pretty easily frustrated when it comes to things that require hand-eye co-ordination, so I figured that I would just leave spinning to others with more patience. After all, this stuff is supposed to be relaxing.
But then I saw Claudia giving Carolyn spinning lessons with a drop spindle at Maryland Sheep and Wool. And I watched Leigh make the most lovely blue yarn from this indigo dyed batt that she bought. And I remembered that my mother had a slightly neglected spinning wheel sitting at her house.
When she came for her mother's day visit, I asked her if she might not be willing to share her wheel with me.
And so, after a liberal bath in some Murphy's Oil Soap, here's the new visitor in my living room. Those of you who know spinning, will know exactly what kind of wheel it is, but I'm going to save its true identity for a bit.
Happy Shiny Spinning Wheel
Now, my mother has many many crafty hobbies, but I can tell you that from the time this wheel arrived in our house (sometime while I was in Junior High or High School) up until current times, that spinning has never been one of those hobbies. Not, I think, because my mom is averse to spinning. In fact, she loves all things fibery. It just wasn't one of those things she expected to come into her life.
Something else that might be surprising is that I never bothered to ask her how it was she came by a spinning wheel but never got into spinning. I mean, if mom goes out and buys a craft tool, she'll use it. Maybe not forever, but definitely until she decides whether its her thing or not. So I just had to ask, "what's up with the wheel, Mom?"
Apparently, the story goes something like this....
A long time ago, my mother handled a lot of administrative work for a wonderful British professor who worked in her department. I remember both him and his family pretty well. They were lovely people with a sense of humor and a few neat animals.
Well, at one point they took a trip to New Zealand and they asked mom to do a little pet-sitting for them. They jokingly asked my mother what she would like from New Zealand. And she told them that she wanted them to bring her back a sheep. Now, all of us who knit can appreciate how cool it would be to get a sheepy friend from the South Pacific. But apparently there were a few problems with the immigration process and they had to figure something else out for mom. So, in lieu of a sheep, this lovely wheel came to live with us.
In the long run, this was probably a good thing, as I am not sure that our neighbors would have appreciated the whole livestock in our back yard thing. And sheep are just a little bit more work to look after (but probably a lot less work than the two messy children that lived in the house).
As I was growing up, it never occured to me to want to know much about the wheel. But as we were browsing through MS&W I suddenly realized that Mom's lonely wheel had a pretty nice parentage.
Ashford Traditional
So now I have the wheel, but it's days on display have not been completely kind to it. If you look closely at the picture above, you will notice that the treadle and the wheel are not actually connected. That's because of this:
Unhappy Leather Tether
This little leather piece that connects the treadle to the wheel moving board (I'm sure it has a technical term) dried out and broke away. So before I can go any farther than just cleaning mom's wheel, I have to find a replacement piece.
And then I have to find a good book. Anyone want to make any recommendations? If you could have only one book on spinning while you were stranded on a remote desert island in the South Pacific, and you needed to spin coconut husk fiber into clothing, what book would you bring? Or would you just wait until Rhinebeck when you could get Claudia to show you the ropes in by a beautiful lake in New York? Hmmm...
Hi Theresa!
Since a few weeks I am also a proud owner of an Ashford Traditonal wheel. In the new version of the wheel, the "leather" thing is changed against a little flexible plastic tube. Look at http://www.ashford.co.nz/accessories.htm it is part of the maintenance kit. I think, it is called conrod connector. (but I´m not sure, due language problems) On the picture it is the fourth item counting from upper-left side. Rather unspectacular. Maybe you can get it at your local Ashford distributor.
Happy spinning and good luck with your wheel.
Leandra
I sit here green with envy! You should ask around. I just learned that there is a group that meets on Friday nights in the next town over to spin. (Too bad you don't live here). They seem a friendly bunch and are very willing to have newbies come and learn. You could probably find one through your local yarn/spin shop. Why wait until the fall? Go out to Rhinebeck prepared with the knowledge of what you like and don't like, so as to make the shopping easier and more productive!
Queer Joe has recently had an interesting spinning discussion. One of the recent entries/comments dealt with the "best books" on the topic. It must have been within the last two weeks.
When I was in college in the south, playing bridge was just "it". I never learned b/c I just knew if I did I'd be hooked and would never get into law school! I have a little quiver of fear about spinning too - I just know if I learn, that will be all I'll ever do!
I recently started spinning about two months ago, you'll love it I'm sure! There is just something so soothing about working with fiber. Hands on Spinning is the only spinnig book I own however I found that I had to sit down with someone to learn the ropes. I first learned on a drop spindle and couldn't get the hang of it, however once I got my wheel I was fine. I still can't spin on a drop spindle!
If you need a source for parts, try Old Mill Yarn in Eaton Rapids Michigan (517)663-2711. They have TONS of spinning and weaving supplies.
Claudia at Countrywool.com has parts for the Ashford wheels (I've gotten a couple of replacement parts from her). Try your local library for books (esp. if they have an inter-library loan program) where you can look at a variety of books, including older books that may be out of print. It might give you a better idea of what type of book you'd like to buy. Also, try googling for a spinners guild in your area to see if there is someone who can get you started. From there it's mostly rhythm and practice!
I've seen all sorts of oddments used to connect the treadle to the footman. In Alden Amos' Spinning Wheel Primer the diagram shows a bit of cord tied to make a flexible connection.
My favorite learn-to-spin book is Anne Field's Ashford Book of Spinning. Great photos, solid data, and excellent data about your wheel.
If you can, have someone coach you in person, but Anne Field will get you started. Interweave's Spin-Off magazine maintains a spinning guild directory. It looks as if the Flockettes are your closest guild. You might check with the Windy City Knitting Guild (the Sulzer group) to see if there are independent spinners. http://www.interweave.com/spin/resources/spinning_guilds.asp#ILLINOIS
Ahh, the broken doohickey. I discovered one of those when I pulled my 25-year-old wheel out of the basement corner recently. I found a replacement part at Weaving Works in Seattle (www.weavingworks.com). It cost all of 60 cents or so! Good luck with the spinning--I'm trying it again because of my love for Spin Off magazine.
I second Anne Field's book,especially as you have an Ashford.
That's it now ! It's even easier to stash fibre !!! Spinning means that,theoretically, you can make any kind of yarn you want .You choose fibre,colour,thickness,texture... Very liberating and exciting really.
Another vote for the Ashford Book of Spinning.
You might also look out for "Your Handspinning" by Elsie Davenport. Been reprinted many times. An old publication and line drawings only but still has a lot to offer. When you've mastered spinning, Su Grierson's "Colour Cauldron" on natural dyes from Scotland! Wonderful, good luck.
Heh, heh, heh......still chortling away and rubbing my hands together in glee here in beautiful Mass.
You did a beautiful job on that wheel. I second the recommendation to email the lovely Claudia at www.countrywool.com. She will fix you up.
Another vote for the Anne Field book. I would also recommend Claudia but also email the Ashfords and tell them the story of the wheel, they might be able to help also.
I'm glad to see the sources for the replacements to the leather strap thing. Mine is broken, too. I've been using a little plastic strip that I think was originally part of a cheap closet shelving set-up meant as an extra security attachment to the wall. I know that makes no sense. The point is, it was something I just happened to have in the toolbox and it worked. I was impatient to fix the wheel right away. Look around the house -- you never know what you might have that will do the trick.
I also caught Spinning Fever at the Maryland Festival. Unfortunately, I did not inherit a wheel, but came home with one. I bought a Lendrum and also bought the Hands On Spinning book. I had my very first session yesterday - I think it went pretty well! I am glad there is another newbie spinner out there -- will be checking back to see how you make out!
ps. I named my wheel Proud Mary.
I'm also new to spinning. I bought my 1st wheel at the MD S&W Festival. If you want to check it out, I have a picture of it on my blog. I've been practicing a little. I'm taking a full day spinning class this Sunday at my LYS. I can't wait. Gook luck with your new venture & of course have fun!!!
Eilene
Anne Field also has written a book called "Spinning Wool: Beyond the Basics." I would recommend it as an intermediate book, along with Mabel Ross' book on yarn design for handspinners. They use different approaches, but help you select the right kind of fleece for the yarns you want to spin. Have fun and good luck! I've been spinning for four years, and I'm obsessed.
Hello!
The broken piece looks like a bit of leather? Try going to your local Michaels or Hobby Lobby or shoe-repair shop to purchase a bit of appropriately heavy leather. Take your kitchen shears to it, and use a punch to make the holes? Use your broken piece as a prototype. Come to think of it, your local shoe repair shop might be able to fabricate you one in minutes.
Good luck!
Hi Theresa -
I was pleased with Lee Raven's Hands On Spinning.
The Alden Amos Big Book of Handspinning has lots of (hardcore) tech info that you may want later on.
Enjoy!